To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has received the Metropolitan Police Committee's advice on proposed objectives for the Metropolitan Police, and on an Efficiency Plan, in 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement. [78412]
Yes. Following consultation with the Metropolitan Police Committee and the Commissioner, I have approved the following objectives for the Metropolitan Police in 1999–2000:
Dealing with Young Offenders
To deal speedily and effectively with young offenders and to work with other agencies to reduce offending and re-offending.
Reducing Crime and Disorder
To provide corporate support for local partnerships to reduce local crime and disorder
To reduce the incidence of repeat victimisation, specifically in respect of burglary, racial incidents, homophobic attacks and Domestic Violence.
Reducing Drug Related Crime
To target and reduce drug related crime in partnership with other local agencies.
Diversity
To increase the MPS's commitment to become an anti-racist organisation and the awareness and confidence of minority ethnic communities and groups in the MPS's ability to deal convincingly with Racially Motivated Crime.
These objectives are set out in the Metropolitan Police Policing Plan 1999–2000 which the Commissioner is issuing with my approval.
Again with my approval, following consultation with the Metropolitan Police Committee, the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police is publishing at the same time an Efficiency Plan for 1999–2000 which aims for efficiency gains of 3.5 per cent.
Minister
| Number of civil servants accompanying minister
| Destination
| Date
| Purpose of visit
| Return cost per passenger £
| Civil Service grade of passenger
|
| Adam Ingram | None | Japan/Taiwan | February 1998 | IDB Trade Mission | 6,379.00 | Not applicable |
| Secretary of State | 3 | Boston/Washington/New York | March 1998 | Brief opinion formers on NI political development | 5,278.00 | 1 senior civil servant, 1 special adviser, 1 grade 7 |
| Secretary of State | 2 | Washington/New York | July 1998 | Post Agreement briefing | 5,048.25 | 2 senior civil servants |
| Secretary of State | 1 | New York | October 1998 | Eleven city tour | 5,435.90 | 1 senior civil servant |
| Secretary of State | 1 | Chicago/Seattle | October 1998 | Eleven city tour | 6,570.70 | 1 senior civil servant |
| Adam Ingram | None | New York/Washington | November 1998 | Speaking engagements/receptions | 4,324.50 | Not applicable |
| Paul Murphy | 2 | Washington | December 1998 | Attend dinner hosted by President Clinton attended by all NI political party leaders | 5,576.55 | 1 senior civil servant, 1 HEO |
The cost of these flights is part of this Administration's expenditure on ministerial overseas travel.